OVERVIEW: QuickBooks Templates for Film Video Projects & Production Companies

QuickBooks Templates Customized for Film or Video Production come in TWO (2) Versions:

1) The version that’s set-up for a Production Company is referred to as the “WORK FOR HIRE” version:

This version is intended for a sole proprietor, partnership, LLC or Corporation that needs to estimate and track actual costs for multiple film video or other creative projects, but also needs to use QuickBooks to monitor overall company income/expenses for financial statements and income taxes.

This template will allow you to be able to track/report project budgets, commitments and actual costs by incorporating the 327 AICP Item list within QuickBooks “Job Costing” module, while managing the company’s overall accounting, bookkeeping, business management and income tax needs with the General Ledger / Chart of Accounts.

2) The version that’s set-up to track a single project or series exclusively & in-detail is called “FULL PRODUCTION ACCOUNTING” version:

In this version, the QuickBooks file is set-up exclusively to track a single production or series, and QuickBooks does this very well. The whole file is devoted to the project details, with the project’s line items set-up in both the G/L Chart of Accounts and the Item List. This would be applicable to anyone producing a film/video project, or a production company that wanted to to track a film/video project in more detail within a separate QuickBooks file.

How do you know which blank file you need?

Generally, I would say that if a separate checking account will be opened that’s dedicated exclusively to the project, or you need to track your own film or video project in detail (or will need to report to investors), you probably want to use the Full Production Version.

If you have a company which needs to file a tax return every year, then you need QuickBooks to aggregate your company’s net production income (production Income less production costs) with the company G&A expenses &/or any other income or expenses (financing costs etc), the Work for Hire Version is applicable.

Once downloaded, you may modify, copy and re-use the blank templates over and over.

In many cases you may want to use both templates, if you produce work for hire plus produce internally owned projects too, OR if you want to research all options available for production accounting in QuickBooks.

It’s not unusual for a company involved in several projects to have several “sub-ledgers” or separate QuickBooks company files set-up to track & report the film project actual vs estimated or budgeted costs, where the total on the film cost report is reconciled to the main ledger.

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Special Offer: BOTH Styles of Blank QuickBooks Film Video Templates – Buy Together & Save

Get BOTH versions of the Blank QuickBooks File templates together, at savings
1) the “WORK FOR HIRE/PRODUCTION COMPANY”version &
2) the “FULL PRODUCTION ACCOUNTING for SINGLE PROJECT/SERIES” version

These two versions of QuickBooks templates are sold separately for $29 each, OR they may both be purchased together for $45.

Do you need to use Quickbooks for your film video production company?

Are you a Filmmaker & your accountant or tax person asked you to use QuickBooks? You may have tried setting up your own QuickBooks company file but you would have quickly noticed that Quickbooks does not offer any options for Film or Video Production companies. You don’t have to start from scratch, I have created a customized blank file just for Film and Video Production Companies which you may download and start using immediately.

This is a complete, blank quickbooks file customized to include the 327 AICP/HotBudget/Point.Zero style Item List for Estimating, Tracking & Reporting Production Costs, this file also contains the “Production Company” style Chart of Accounts (categories necessary for running a production company including Production Income, Production Costs and General & Administrative expenses).

PLEASE NOTE: THE “WORK FOR HIRE” VERSION IS FOR A COMPANY THAT PRODUCES & DELIVERS PROJECT(S) ON BEHALF OF IT’S CLIENTS. (ONCE YOU DOWNLOAD, YOU CAN COPY/RE-USE THE BLANK FILE INFINITELY.)

Want to use Quickbooks to do the production accounting & reporting for a film video, tv or web production?

If you will be devoting a Quickbooks company file to one project (or a series) use the FULL-PRODUCTION style template instead of the WORK FOR HIRE style, (which is intended for a company producing projects for it’s clients)

This is the version which is designed to replace the standard industry production accounting software packages offered by EP, CAPS or MEDIA SERVICES & offers the most functionality for a single production or series.

This can save hours in setting up a film budget in QuickBooks; the more detailed “FULL-PRODUCTION” Style file is set- contains the 327 AICPA/HotBudget/Point.Zero/AICP template line items in TWO places: the Chart of Accounts AND the Job-Cost Item List. The 327 AICP line items in the Item List are mapped to their identical 327 Chart of Accounts categories for cohesive reporting.

PLEASE NOTE: The “FULL-PRODUCTION ACCOUNTING” FILE IS DEDICATED TO TRACKING FILM VIDEO PROJECT(S) OR SERIE(S), EXCLUSIVELY AND IN-DEPTH. (ONCE YOU DOWNLOAD, YOU CAN COPY/RE-USE THE BLANK FILE INFINITELY AS A TEMPLATE FOR ALL FUTURE PROJECTS.)

If you are interested in having your own budget set-up within a QuickBooks Blank Company File, please use my contact form to start the process & be sure to list your email and phone number.

Once I receive your information, I will send you an email to request a copy of your budget in Excel. After a quick review, I will send you a quote and time frame to set it up. Typically it can take a week to set it up and return a back-up copy.

I can also set-up or convert existing projects to QuickBooks Online version, likewise I would be happy to convert your QuickBooks Online data to QuickBooks Pro or Premiere, in Mac or PC editions (Mac only available in QB Pro version.).

To get your accounting caught up quickly if you’re behind, I can help you use third party apps (like Transaction Pro Importer) or I will import your transactions myself.

I can also remote in to your desktop to troubleshoot issues, show you how to use features.

Not sure which version of QuickBooks you need?

Contact me to arrange a free telephone consultation to help you determine which version will work best for you. I am a QuickBooks ProAdvisor and have been a QuickBooks power-user for over 15 years!

FOR COMPANIES ALREADY USING QUICKBOOKS This file contains 327 QuickBooks formatted line items based on PointZero or Hot Budget style budget templates. It is intended for use in conjunction with QuickBooks job costing module, which uses “Items” to track income and expenses.

You can import all 327 items into your existing QuickBooks company file with one click, and save yourself hours that would be required to set up 327 line items manually.

Using these line items will allow you to duplicate your budget or estimate in QuickBooks, create PO’s, write checks and actualize projects all within your Quickbooks company file.

2 comments for “OVERVIEW: QuickBooks Templates for Film Video Projects & Production Companies”

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